Daniel Pierce Hernandez, 49, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 1, 2013after a brief illness. Dan graduated from the University of Central Florida and earned a master's from the University of Florida before moving to Washington, DC where he served four years as a legislative aide to Congresswoman Karen Thurman. His expertise in writing and research led to work on several congressional investigative projects before he returned to live in his native Tampa. Dan was preceded in death by his father, Dr. David E. Hernandez and survived by his mother, Barbara Garrison Finkbeiner; step-father, Edward Finkbeiner; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Gloria Hernandez of Longwood, Fl; nieces Alicia Hernandez of Longwood, Fl; Eileen Hernandez and great nephew Jameson Edwards of Melbourne,Fl; aunt, Barbara Garrison of Atlanta, Ga; aunt and uncle, William and Pamela Garrison, and cousins: Casey (Garrison) Parker and Kelly (Garrison) Betz and their families. Dan, known to family as "Danny", treasured friends and family. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am, October 12th at St. Clement's Episcopal Church, Tampa. Memorials may be given to The Children's Home 10909 Memorial Hwy. Tampa, FL 33615.